Expert commentary available to address 2014 projections and effects of intellectual property crime.

PRLog - Jan. 30, 2014 - SAN DIEGO -- Sports merchandising is big business and organized, multinational crime rings are replicating the real thing as fast as the NFL™ can make them. As the Super Bowl™ approaches, the problem has become so rampant that Homeland Security has gotten involved. Just yesterday, Homeland Security’s Intellectual Property team announced the seizure of more than $100,000 worth of counterfeit NFL™ and other sports leagues merchandise.

A record $17.2 million worth of fake NFL™ merchandise was seized in the months before last year’s Super Bowl and counterfeiting around this year’s game is expected to easily surpass last year’s, given the sheer size of New York City.

Jeffrey Van Hoosear (http://knobbe.com/attorneys/jeff-van-hoosear) a partner at Knobbe Martens Olson & Bear LLP (http://knobbe.com/front), one of the largest intellectual property firms in the nation, is available to shed light on the scope and wider effects of these intellectual property violations including:

Measures available to prevent the manufacturing of counterfeit and knock-off goods

He can also discuss ways in which the NFL’s merchandise industry can better protect their valuable IP. Jeffrey specializes in trademark and unfair competition matters, representing a number of clients in the apparel and sporting goods industries including Quicksilver and Pacific Life.